should remain open

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should remain open" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing policies, opportunities, or situations that are expected to continue without closure. Example: "The application process should remain open until the end of the month." Alternative expressions include "ought to stay open" and "must continue to be open."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That is an option that should remain open," Mr. Giuliani said.

The New York Times

Mr Livingstone claims the proposed area to be built on, a park, should remain open land.

The Guardian

When official contacts were severed, they said dialogue should remain open.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because these types of proceedings had traditionally been open to the public, they should remain open even if called arbitration.

The New York Times

Mrs. Merkel has always insisted that nuclear plants should remain open until sufficient amounts of renewable energy become available.

The New York Times

Fifty-eight percent of people said it should remain open, while only 34 percent said it should be closed.

The New York Times

We needed to show that progressive voters were responding to our message that Britain should remain open, tolerant and united.

The Guardian

Also the path to engagement should remain open if Iran decides to make a policy U-turn.

The Guardian - Opinion

We think that case law should be sustained and that American courts should remain open to remedy major human rights abuses abroad.

The New York Times

He added that Democrats should remain open to changes in the benefit structure, including what is known as "progressive price indexing".

The New York Times

It is now late September, and the pass should remain open for two more months before the winter snows force it to close.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal reporting, pair this phrase with a specific justification (e.g., "until renewable energy is available") to provide a complete logical argument.

Common error

Do not confuse the adjective "open" with the past participle "opened". While "should remain opened" is technically possible in very specific contexts describing an action, "should remain open" is the standard way to describe a state of availability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should remain open" functions as a complex predicate consisting of the modal auxiliary verb should, the copular (linking) verb remain, and the predicative adjective open. It is used to express a deontic modality, indicating a recommendation, advice, or a desirable state of affairs. According to Ludwig, it is perfectly correct and serves as a standard way to argue for the persistence of a particular state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should remain open" is a highly versatile and grammatically correct expression used to recommend the continuation of a specific state. Data from Ludwig shows it is exceptionally common in high-tier journalism and institutional reporting, where it often refers to public services, political negotiations, or technological standards. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is the standard choice for professional writing, effectively balancing a polite recommendation with a clear sense of necessity. Whether discussing the fate of a nuclear plant or the accessibility of the internet, this phrase remains a staple of clear and effective English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should stay open

uses a more common and slightly less formal linking verb

ought to stay open

implies a moral or practical obligation more strongly than should

should be kept open

uses the passive voice to focus on the action of maintaining the state

must continue to be open

conveys a stronger sense of necessity or requirement

needs to stay open

indicates a pragmatic requirement or essential condition

should remain accessible

emphasizes the ability for people to reach or use something

ought to remain available

focuses on the availability of a resource or option

shall remain open

adds a highly formal or legalistic tone to the statement

should not be closed

uses a negative construction for emphatic contrast

should continue operating

shifts focus to the functional activity rather than just the state of being open

FAQs

How to use "should remain open" in a sentence?

You can use it to suggest that a place or an option should not close, such as: "The park should remain open to the public during the renovation".

What can I say instead of "should remain open"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/ought+to+stay+open" target="_blank" rel="alternative">ought to stay open", "<a href="/s/should+be+kept+open" target="_blank" rel="alternative">should be kept open" or "<a href="/s/should+stay+open" target="_blank" rel="alternative">should stay open" depending on your desired level of formality.

Which is correct, "should remain open" or "should remain opened"?

The phrase "should remain open" is almost always the correct choice when describing a continuous state. The word "open" acts as an adjective here, whereas "opened" is a verb form indicating an action that has been completed.

What is the difference between "should stay open" and "should remain open"?

The difference is primarily stylistic; "<a href="/s/should+remain+open" target="_blank" rel="alternative">should remain open" sounds more formal and professional, while "<a href="/s/should+stay+open" target="_blank" rel="alternative">should stay open" is more common in everyday conversation.